Benefits Department

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (281) 335-8422
The Employee Assistance Program is a counseling service for employees and their eligible dependents that may be experiencing personal or work related issues. The sessions are confidential and held with a professional counselor. EAP Information

MENTORING
FISD provides a mentor program for all teachers new to the district. First-year teachers receive intensive mentoring support as a part of the district’s goal to recruit and retain highly qualified personnel.

SICK LEAVE
Full-time employees receive 5 personal leave days from the state each year. The district provides 5-7 additional local sick leave days each year, depending on the work calendar assigned. See the Employee Handbook for use and limitations.

SICK LEAVE DONOR PROGRAM
A sick leave donor program is in place to provide additional sick leave days to full-time FISD employees in the event of a catastrophic illness, injury or accident to the employee, or immediate family, or death in the immediate family. Contact your campus secretary for futher information.

TUITION FREE ATTENDANCE
Children of non-resident full-time district employees may be accepted as transfer students, tuition free. Full-time employees are defined by a work schedule of 30 or more hours per week, excluding overtime or supplemental duties.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION
Injuries on school premises are covered under Worker’s Compensation. Injuries must be reported to the school nurse as soon as they occur and a report must be completed. Worker’s Compensation is covered by a different insurance company than the district’s health insurance plan.

RETIREMENT
All personnel employed on a regular basis for at least one-half of the normal work schedule are members of the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and do not contribute to Social Security. TRS provides members with an annual statement of their account showing all deposits, the account balance for the year ending August 31, and an estimate of their retirement benefits.

Third Party Administrator
First Financial Group provides plan administration and technical support services for the Section 125 (Cafeteria Plan) and the Flexible Spending Plan. 281-847-8422
Pre-Tax Benefit Plan – Section 125 (Cafeteria Plan)
Premium payments may be tax sheltered on the following benefits paid by the employee:
Health
Dental
Vision
Hospital Indemnity
Accident
Critical Illness
Cancer
*Plan year – September 1 through August 31.

Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance – Optional – After-Tax Deduction
Carrier: Dearborn Effective: 09/01/2016
You may purchase up to seven (7) times your annual salary or a maximum of $300,000 which ever is less. $100,000 guarantee issue for new employees. Any amounts over $100,000 will go through under writing. Premium are age rated.

Dependent Group Term Life Insurance – Optional – After- Tax Deduction
Carrier: Dearborn Effective: 9/01/2016
You must purchase the above supplemental coverage on yourself in order to purchase dependent coverage on your spouse and / or children.

Spousal coverage can be purchased up to 50% of the employee’s benefit amount up to $150,000. $50,000 guarantee issue for a spouse. Any amounts over $50,000 will go through under writing. Premiums are age rated.

Dependent children coverage
(A) $5,000 for children age 6 months to 26 years.
Premium – $.55 for all children.

(B) $10,000 for children age 6 months to 19 years (up to 26 years if unmarried and a full time student).
Premium – $1.10 for all children.

(C) $500 for children age 14 days to 6 months. Newborn children to age 14 days are not eligible for a benefit.

GROUP LIFE & LONG-TERM DISABILITY

Group Life Insurance – $20,000 Term Life
Carrier: Dearborn Effective: 09/01/2016100% Premium paid by FISD

Long-Term Disability
Carrier: Voya
Effective on 91st day of total disability. Disability income up to 40% of salary.100% premium paid by FISD

INVESTMENTS

457 Plan – Retirement Savings Plan:
FISD has chosen First Financial Group as the administrator for the district, but employees will chose the funds that they wish to contribute to.

403 B – Individual Retirement Savings Plan:
FISD has chosen First Financial Group as the administrator for the district, but employees will chose the funds that they wish to contribute to the TRS / Friendswood approved vendor list. HERE

FRIENDSWOOD ISD ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE. THE TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 3.82 PERCENT AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $90.00.